Months in, many organizations have seen benefits from so many employees working from home. Anecdotal evidence is backing up studies that have shown that remote workers, on average, actually work longer hours from home than they do from work.

Meanwhile, organizations are saving on costs for utility, compensation plans for gas and parking, and could eventually save by consolidating offices for a smaller percentage of the workforce that needs to come in.

Click Here to Take Our Survey and Enter to Win a Product Package from Belkin!

In this survey, we seek to learn how your IT department has handled remote work thus far, and how your organization plans to handle remote work moving forward. This five-minute survey will help us better understand the needs of IT departments handling new work from home policies, so we can deliver the information you need to get ahead.

In addition, Belkin has been kind enough to offer three respondents a product package of WFH equipment from Belkin and Linksys. The three winners will be chosen at random upon the completion of the survey. Each product package will include:

• Linksys Velop Tri Band Mesh System (2 nodes): Extend the home network for better balance throughout the home with this easy-to-get-running Mesh WiFi solution. The routers unlocks Linksys’ software portfolio, Linksys Aware and Linksys Shield.
• Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE 8-Port Charging Station: The family that charges together, stays together. Get everyone connected in one spot. A unique feature is the ability to securely lock three USB cables to USB ports that pivot and extend preventing accidental disconnection. Say goodbye to family members walking off with your charging cable.
• Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD: Powerful and fast, this all-in-one docking solution allows you to power your computer, drive two 4K displays simultaneously, and get up to 40 Gbps of super-fast data transfer with a single cable. Transfer a 4K movie in under 30 seconds, this dock packs a real punch and provides an ultimate monitor experience.

Take our survey now, let us know how you’re handling remote workers at your organization, and enter to win this lucrative product package!

The post Take Our IT Pro WFH Survey and Win a WFH Product Package appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Crestron, a giant in audiovisual and integration equipment, is collaborating with remote work providers Logitech and Zoom to help merge work and home with an all-in-one videoconferencing, home control and unified communications experience.

The solution, dubbed Crestron HomeTime, is designed for working from home, remote learning and socializing. It’s a unification of Logitech’s MeetUp conference camera with the Crestron UC Engine that integrates with Crestron control to deliver the Zoom Rooms experience that many corporate offices enjoy.

The high-end home solution merges videoconferencing, home control, and unified communications (UC) into a single system to allow clients to socialize, remote learn, and work from home.

Read Next: 10 Inexpensive Home Office Products That Make Working from Home Easier

Crestron HomeTime Includes 4K Camera, Full-Range Speaker

Crestron HomeTime is an HD video and audio conferencing system that allows users to host and join Zoom meetings without a laptop. Control can be via the Crestron remote or mobile app. With Crestron HomeTime, homeowners can use the television in the living room to see participants in much larger video windows; and the MeetUp 4K camera with a wide-angle lens captures everyone comfortably in the frame. The full range speaker delivers high-quality, intelligible audio, and the full-duplex, advanced beamforming microphone enables natural conversation among everyone in the group.

The system can either configured to connect directly to the display or through a Crestron DM NVX as a single-room or multiroom solution. With the multiroom configuration, groups of people can gather in the living room, kitchen, family room or wherever there is a MeetUp camera and a display.

The core of Crestron HomeTime is the $6,100 (MSRP) HT-CAM Kit which includes the UC Engine running the Zoom Rooms app, the Logitech MeetUp camera, and a one-year subscription for the Crestron Xio Cloud service. In addition, dealers can tack on the HT-CAM-AUX Kit for $3,100 for additional rooms. That kits requires the DM-NVX-350.

Currently, the system integrates with Crestron custom controls, but drivers for Crestron Home are being written. With the XiO Cloud subscription, integrators can perform reboots or remote diagnostics on the system.

‘Lifesize’ Images for Videoconferences

“When the Zoom images are projected on a large home display versus on a tiny laptop screen, it makes the videoconference much more engaging. The faces are almost lifesize,” comments Crestron’s VP, Residential John Clancy.

“It’s time to end the awkward conversations. No more crowding around a laptop and talking over each other because you can’t follow who is speaking. The idea for HomeTime was created from the challenges experienced by families trying to socialize, learn, and work from home. We, at Crestron, knew we had a convenient solution that every living room deserved,” says Clancy. “By integrating Logitech MeetUp and Zoom Rooms software with the Crestron platform, we can help homeowners prepare for anything, whether that is working in the home office, remote learning in the playroom, or virtual happy hours in the family room.”

“Crestron shares our commitment to seamless collaboration with high-quality technology,” says Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms, Zoom Video Collaboration. “Crestron HomeTime raises the bar, bringing the conference room into the living room.”

“We’ve seen an exponential increase in videoconferencing from home as people and families shelter in place, not only for business use, but for personal use as well,” says Scott Wharton, general manager and vice president, Logitech Video Collaboration. “Crestron is a leader in AV and residential systems for high end homes, so this partnership is ideal for providing quality videoconferencing experiences and Logitech solutions people need right now as they continue to connect from home.”

Crestron HomeTime will be available on June 1, 2020 exclusively through Crestron residential integrators.

The post Crestron, Zoom, Logitech Bring Work From Home UC Tech to the Market appeared first on My TechDecisions.

I have personally been curious if that means we’re being less or more productive working out of our homes and how the coronavirus has changed the work-from-home landscape.

There are technology solutions that organizations can deploy to measure productivity, but there is also some good old-fashioned research to help us find those answers. Thanks to a recent study from QuickBooks, we now have a better idea of the current work-from-home climate.

Read Next: Gaining Insight Into Your Organization’s Remote Work Productivity

According to the study from accounting software platform QuickBooks, over a quarter (28%) of U.S. workers are now working from home, and 40% of them have never done so before.

Since almost half of U.S. workers have never worked from home, it’s no surprise that there have been some challenges.

According to the survey, about 40% of work-from-homers say their productivity has taken a hit and they’re working between one and 10 fewer hours per week while working from home. That’s compared to just 33% who say their productivity has increased and they’re working up to an extra 16 hours per week.

The survey found that most salaried employees say their work hours haven’t changed, but 48% of hourly workers say they’re working fewer hours.

The research also shed light on some things workers can do to stay productive, including:

• Setting up a dedicated workspace and getting equipment they need, like a mouse, keyboard and monitor.
• Maximizing virtual communication like videoconferencing to replicate in-office meetings and watercooler talk
• Focus on physical and mental health like exercise, eating healthy and personal development.
• Avoid the news and relax. It’s important to stay informed, but there’s not a lot of good news these days. Instead, let loose and binge your favorite Netflix shows, hangout with your family, play with your pets and anything else you can do to stay positive.
• Plan for the future of work, which will probably include more remote work.

The post Survey: 40% of WFHers Say Productivity Has Declined appeared first on My TechDecisions.

We’re due back in the office some time in April, but that date could very well be pushed back if things get progressively worse out there.

I usually dreaded working from home due to the myriad distractions and the lack of a dedicated workspace at home. I’ve since fashioned myself a corner in my half-finished basement upon where I’ve plopped a desk for my laptop and an old computer monitor.

I’m away from the dogs, wife, street noise, TV and other distractions down here.

That seems to have done the trick, as I’ve found myself finishing what I’d typically get done in a day in a shorter amount of time. I’m finding I have more time to spend on things both work-related and not, and I’m sure that’s the same for most of our readers out there.

Read Next: Prepare for the Coronavirus By Investing In Unified Communications, Conferencing Technology

Here are some things you and your employees might have time for while you’re working at home:

Clear your email

I’ve got 27,470 unread emails on my phone (mostly spam, automatic payment receipts, etc) and surprisingly only about 1,000 unread emails on the work account. This is busy work that I never prioritize, but it can help you become more organized. Staying on top of your email can also help prevent against phishing attacks, which are increasingly targeting coronavirus concerns.

Cleaning digital and physical spaces

This goes without saying. The daily grind of waking up, going to work, coming home and doing it all over again isn’t very conducive to cleanliness. Take a few minutes before, after or in-between work-related tasks to tidy up, especially in your work area.

If your work devices are cluttered with files and data you don’t need anymore, either move it to the cloud or erase it.

Start that project

If you’re like me and you have a lot of ideas and not enough time to do all of them, pick a few that you really like and devote your free time to that project. This is also a chance to get ahead in your work and show initiative.

Get inspired

As a journalist, I find a lot of inspiration by consuming other media. I’m trying to discover new podcasts, blogs, and other sources to help me better my craft here. Do some digging to find something to inspire you in your job and come up with some new ideas to share with the team.

Get in shape

Disclaimer: I’m not really following my own advice here so far. More downtime means more time to go for a run or a long walk. Most gyms are closed, but it’s not hard to Youtube some home workouts you can do. This is especially important if your typical daily routine involves working out. Looks like I’ll be at home for a while so maybe I’ll heed my own advice eventually.

Reconnect

For the average person, they only see their family a few hours each day during the week. I’m easily distracted so I like some peace and quiet while I work, but you might be different. Leave that office door open and let the kids come see what mom and dad are up to.

The post Six Ways to Make Productive Use of Your Downtime While Working From Home appeared first on My TechDecisions.

More than 109,500 cases have been confirmed globally, and more than 3,800 have died. In the U.S., those figures are 423 and 19, respectively, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those infected or those who have come into contact with a sick person are quarantined and can’t go to work.

However, this doesn’t mean your organization has to cease all activity. You can get just as much work done from home as you can in the office.

For those new to working from home, it can be a challenging adjustment. Here are some tips to help you and your employees adjust to this evolving situation and what is ultimately becoming a more prevalent trend in the modern workforce.

Create a home workspace

When you moved to your current home, did you put a desk in that room you never use? Now is the time to consider setting it up to mimic your desk at work, CompTIA says.

Try to avoid working in places where you relax, like the couch, your bed or the kitchen table. Work can be stressful and you shouldn’t bring that stress into your comfort zones. This should be a quiet place that’s free from distractions like a TV, pets or other family members.

At least someone is happy that dad is sick and working from home pic.twitter.com/62LaABlg3Y

— Zachary Comeau (@ZWComeau) January 30, 2020

You should make an effort to recreate the tech you have in the office, like a stable internet connection, a scanner/printer, multiple monitors, backup hard drives and possibly even a portable hot spot in the event of a power outage or home internet disruption.

Make sure you have access to all of the collaboration apps, conferencing tools and data your company provides from your home.

Stay secure

If your organization has a lot of remote workers, you should consider creating a work-from-home security policy. Chances are that their home network is not nearly as secure as the network in the office.

Require your remote workers to use a VPN when accessing your organization’s network and, writes Neil Feather, chief innovation officer at SiteLock.

Go to lengths to make sure endpoint security solutions on all remote worker devices is up to date and secure.

It’s also a good idea to make sure employees aren’t working on their personal devices that aren’t equipped with your organizations endpoint security solutions.

Read Next: Videoconferencing Companies Offer Expanded, Free Services to Help Coronavirus Workers, Transition to Remote Work

Maintain a routine & set boundaries

If you’re a creature of habit like the rest of us, you and your employees probably have a solid work routine nailed down.

It can be easy to get thrown off of that routine in a completely new work environment like your home.

If you take regular walks while in the office, do that at home. If you go to the gym before work or at lunch, do that at home.

Don’t let your work life encroach too much on your home life, says the World Economic Forum.

Set a workday schedule, like you would do in the office. It can be easy to start work earlier or later than usual while at home with nobody holding you accountable, but you should hold yourself to your normal routine and give yourself the breaks and time off you’re usually afforded.

For many, television can provide some needed background noise, but it can also be a distraction. If you don’t have a dedicated office space, consider turning off the TV.

If you have one in your office, make sure you can still get your work done with the TV on in the background.

Make sure the office is set up for work, not fun. If that doubles as your gaming room, move the console into another room while you’re working.

Get out of your sweatpants and get dressed

It’s important to continue to follow your normal routine so you get into work mode. For me, that doesn’t include staying in my pajamas. I need a shower, a hearty breakfast, a few cups of coffee and business casual clothes to get me ready to work.

Studies show that when you dress for work, you maintain professionalism, are more productive, stay in line with company culture and help keeps you insulated from other distractions.

At the very least, put on a nice shirt and try to look like you didn’t just roll out of bed. Nobody wants to see your old t-shirt and bed head on a videoconference call.

For me, pajamas mean I get to be lazy, and that’s not a feeling I want to have when it’s time to get work done.

Remember: you’re still at work

It can be easy to forget that even though you may be working in your home office, your couch or your back porch, you’re still responsible for getting your work done. Hold yourself accountable by being transparent with your superiors about what your plans are for the day. Come up with a list of things you need to accomplish and communicate that list to your boss.

For many, working from home is a chance to get more work done than usual, so use it as an opportunity to get ahead on projects.

The post How to Adjust to the Coronavirus Impacts and Working From Home appeared first on My TechDecisions.